Saunders, who completed the 6,000-meter race in 21 minutes, 29.3 seconds, had the third-best women\'s NCAA national finish in school history. Only Mollie DeFrancesco, who placed 30th in 2002, and Bethany Eigel, who finished 46th in 1996, turned in better finishes.
Some 250 runners competed in the race, which was held at Indiana State University\'s LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course.
Kim Smith of Providence College won the individual title with a time of 20:08.5. She finished nearly 18 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Colorado\'s Renee Metevier, who placed second in 20:26.4. Columbia\'s Caroline Bierbaum was third in 20:30.7.
Shalane Flanagan\'s course record of 19:36.0, set in the 2002 NCAA Championship race, was not challenged due to the muddy condition of the course.
Colorado won the team title with 63 points and was followed by Duke (144) and Providence (164).